MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[algernon]

-  Tigers with the huge win at Randolph-Macon.  I think we're starting to see the Hampden-Sydney of old reappear on the ODAC map.  While they lose King to graduation, they have many pieces coming back and, if Vick can build upon the strong recruiting classes he has already brought in, the Tigers may be back in the thick of things real soon.  As for R-MC, I think that loss will be a killer for their Pool C hopes... Jackets will probably need to get in via an AQ.  Good news for the rest of us in the league is that we may be headed for a third meeting between the two rivals in the quarterfinal round which would be one heck of a game in Salem.

Great observations, bigrips77 ... only some of which I've quoted above!

I want to add that the loss of Jonathan Mudd to graduation is a huge loss for the Tigers.  Mudd is a true co-leader -- with King -- and is a strong guy who's effort, enthusiasm, and energy drive the team.  He is an underrated player who, in a number of ways, reminds some of us of Tyler Murray.

I think that there is only one way that the Jackets will get into the NCAAs without winning the ODAC tournament.  The AQ is won by EMU or Guilford AND the Marlins get their 5th loss on Saturday when they play in Fleet AND the Yellow Jackets go further in the ODAC Tournament then the Marlins do.  I think that they are definitely in competition with the Marlins for the 3rd ODAC bid ..... that the ODAC will not get 4 bids ..... and that the 3rd bid could easily go to the #5, #6, or #7 seed .... which would likely mean that neither the Marlins or the Yellow Jackets get into the tournament.

From what I've seen, a team from the ODAC that completes its run in the tournament with 4 losses will always get in as a Pool C, a 5th loss leaves it questionable, and a 6th loss doesn't rule out a bid but it can definitely be the killer loss.

If I was a Yellow Jackets fan, I'd be -- strangely enough -- rooting for the Tigers this Saturday!

[Brian Hamilton]

Algernon,

How about the parallels between this year and the 2006-07 season when HSC finished in a tie for 5th with E&H and went on to win the ODAC tourney.  They started playing well at the end the season and a big win against Macon at home propelled them into ODAC tourney play with a lot of confidence.  Something very similar could happen this year, if the Tigers can win at home against VWC on Saturday.  This won't be an easy task, but it can definitely be done.

On another note, if the Jackets do get into the NCAAs with an at-large, the split schedule will have helped them (and some other ODAC teams out). Since RMC only played Guilford and EMU once.  They could possibly have had more losses had they played them more (and, on the flip side, a chance at 2 more quality wins).  I just think it is very interesting to look at and see how the unbalanced schedule plays out.  This is definitely one aspect that can help some teams to get extra bids.

[algernon]

Brian,

You bring up a very good parallel, that the Tigers are finishing strong and playing in a way that has us hoping that they could replicate 2007, when Edwards, Green, Prehmus, Murray, and Turner King were running the show.  (That was the year that Troy Kaase was injured and was the Tigers' cheerleader from the bench.)

The Tigers can certainly win at home against VWC on Saturday .... they were within 1-2 points at Virginia Beach and they are a better team now.  Hopefully, they'll play as they are capable of doing and get the win to finish the regular season!

The Yellow Jackets' prospects of getting a Pool C bid might, as you've suggested, be helped by not having played the Quakers or Royals a second time.  They don't have another two losses on their record!  On the other hand, by not getting a second chance, the Yellow Jackets are not able to make the claim that they beat the Guilford Quakers, or that they beat the EMU Royals.  They got only one chance and it didn't work out.  So it could hurt RMC, because their best wins now are their win in 1 of 2 games against the Marlins, their victory over Williams (which could be a huge PLUS in their favor), their defeat of Wooster, and their win against DeSales.  They have a lot of very good wins out-of-conference!  However, the bad thing for them is that the wins were early in the season and their record since January 13, when they lost to the Royals by 23 points, is not that impressive (7-5, with a 2-5 record against the other teams that are seeded #1 through #6 in the ODAC).  This is almost a tale of two seasons for the Yellow Jackets.

Still, if RMC wins against Hampden-Sydney or Washington and Lee in the quarterfinals, and then gets a win in the semifinals against EMU, they would certainly have a shot at a Pool C bid if they lost a close one in the ODAC Championship game to Guilford or VWC, finishing 22-6 and eliminating EMU from the ODAC tournament (although the Royals would still get a Pool C bid).

[ODACHOOPS]

Algernon,

      Great comparison.  I completely agree with you in the Jon Mudd and Tyler Murray comparison.  I think Mudd much like Murray is very underrated player that adds much more value to the Tiger's then the stat sheet always shows.  I don't think he is as skilled as Murray was but his heart, energy and passion are definitely very similar to that of Murray's.  If Mudd can step up and have a huge ODAC tournament much like Murray did for the Tigers during their 2007 run the Tigers will be a scary team to come across in Salem. 

People often look at that 2007 HSC team and remember that Mike Edwards was on fire and offensively could not be stopped during that ODAC run which is very true!  However Murray averaged something ridiculous like 16pts and 14 rebs per game during that stretch.  If Mudd can continue his high level of play, much like he did last night @ RMC then the Tigers will have yet another weapon and be a very tough out in Salem.

[deanslist]

What a game last night in Harrisonburg! I arrived about 50 minutes prior to tip and the place was almost full. Another great college basketball environment as about 1700 were in attendance at the 1500 seating capacity for the University Commons.

It shows the quality of the Runnin' Royals to shoot poorly from 3 again and pull out another victory. As noted on this site before, it def. worries me though, that sometimes they rely to heavily on the 3 point shot instead of using their athleticism to get to the hole. I thought the player of the game was Eli Crawford. Not only for his efficiency on the offensive end (20 points on 6 for 9 from the floor, 8 for 12 from FT, 4 assists), but his defense in the 2nd half against Trawick. Crawford grabbed 7 rebounds and had 3 steals as well. Crawford's will and determination to win reminds me of Jason Sager who graduated a few years ago from EMU!

Crawford has been the 6th man for EMU this season, until the Twine's injury on Monday night. He has been an important part to the success of EMU this season and looking at his stats (12+ points/game, 6th in the conference in rebounding at 6.6/game,  8th in the conference in field goal pct at .547, 14th in assists, and 10th in steals. I think he deserves consideration as an All-ODAC (Honorable Mention) player.

[Emu435]

What a game last night in Harrisonburg! I arrived about 50 minutes prior to tip and the place was almost full. Another great college basketball environment as about 1700 were in attendance at the 1500 seating capacity for the University Commons.

It shows the quality of the Runnin' Royals to shoot poorly from 3 again and pull out another victory. As noted on this site before, it def. worries me though, that sometimes they rely to heavily on the 3 point shot instead of using their athleticism to get to the hole. I thought the player of the game was Eli Crawford. Not only for his efficiency on the offensive end (20 points on 6 for 9 from the floor, 8 for 12 from FT, 4 assists), but his defense in the 2nd half against Trawick. Crawford grabbed 7 rebounds and had 3 steals as well. Crawford's will and determination to win reminds me of Jason Sager who graduated a few years ago from EMU!

Crawford has been the 6th man for EMU this season, until the Twine's injury on Monday night. He has been an important part to the success of EMU this season and looking at his stats (12+ points/game, 6th in the conference in rebounding at 6.6/game,  8th in the conference in field goal pct at .547, 14th in assists, and 10th in steals. I think he deserves consideration as an All-ODAC (Honorable Mention) player.

i got to the game at 5:30 and it was already a line waiting to file in.

i forgot to mention Crawford's defense on Trawick.  Trawick didnt even see the ball hardly in the second half.  And the play i recall that eli made late in the game changed the game.  I think it was D.J. Hinson who knocked the ball in BC's backcourt, and Eli ran twice as far as the Bridgewater player to get the steal and then got fouled on the way to the basket.  I also talked to him this morning after class in the Caf and told him he played really well, and he said "I am so tired"  and then laughed about it.  i think he is deserving of some honorable mention honors this year as well.  he hustles and leaves everything out on the court.

[algernon]

Tigers vs. Yellow Jackets, 2004-2010

2004-05 - RMC 3, HSC 0
Jan. 12     at Randolph-Macon*     Ashland, VA     L 48-67
Feb. 12     vs. Randolph-Macon*     Hampden-Sydney     L 60-68
Feb. 20     ODAC Semifinals vs. Randolph-Macon    Salem, VA    L 63-67
2005-06 - RMC 3, HSC 0
Jan. 11     vs. Randolph-Macon*    Hampden-Sydney    L 46-61
Feb. 11     at Randolph-Macon*     Ashland, VA      L 75-91
Feb. 19     ODAC Semifinals vs. Randolph-Macon    Salem, VA    L 83-92 in OT
2006-07 - RMC 1, HSC 1
Jan. 13     at Randolph-Macon*     Ashland, VA      L 59-60
Feb. 17     vs. Randolph-Macon*     Hampden-Sydney      W 82-53
2007-08 - RMC 2, HSC 1
Jan. 19     vs. Randolph-Macon*     Hampden-Sydney      L 59-72
Feb. 23     at Randolph-Macon*     Ashland, VA      L 66-72
Feb. 29      ODAC Quarterfinals vs. Randolph-Macon    Salem, VA    W 69-67
2008-09 - RMC 2, HSC 0
Jan. 7      @ Randolph-Macon*      Ashland, VA       L 59-79
Feb. 18      Randolph-Macon*      Hampden-Sydney       L 67-69
2009-10 - RMC 1, HSC 1
Jan. 6      #1 Randolph-Macon*      Hampden-Sydney      L 69-68
Feb. 17      @ #16 Randolph-Macon*      Ashland, VA      W 66-61
Feb. 26      ODAC Quarterfinals vs. Randolph-Macon    Salem, VA    ??

Summary:  RMC 12, HSC 3
At HSC: RMC 5, HSC 1
At RMC: RMC 5, HSC 1
In Salem:  RMC 2, HSC 1

You have to go back further than the 2004-05 season for the last time the Tigers won in Crenshaw!

It might have been in 2003-04 2002-03, when HSC and RMC went 1-1 in their matchups during the regular season and both came into the ODAC championship game with a 25-1 record.  As many of us remember, the Yellow Jackets won the championship game, both teams advanced during the NCAAs to the sectional in Crenshaw, and the Tigers defeated Illinois Wesleyan and UW-Oshkosh there to return to Salem for the Final Four.

[Pat Coleman]

That was 2002-03.

http://www.d3hoops.com/school/HSC/mens/2003
http://www.d3hoops.com/school/HSC/mens/2004

Indeed, HSC won in Crenshaw, but didn't beat Macon there. Have to go back before our day-to-day records to get that.

[algernon]

Thanks for picking up on that, Pat .... It was the 2002-03 team that made it the Final Four and I've corrected the mistake in my post above.  One of these days, I'll figure out when was the last Tiger win over the Jackets in Crenshaw.

[FanJacket]

According to recap on the RMC site HSC last won at Crenshaw Jan. 10, 2001.

[algernon]

According to recap on the RMC site HSC last won at Crenshaw Jan. 10, 2001.

Thanks for that, FanJacket.  Here's more results, with Tiger wins over the Yellow Jackets (1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001) in boldface ....

HSC/RMC Results, 1997 - 2004

1997-98 - HSC 3, RMC 0
1/6/98, at HSC:  HSC 63, RMC 55
1/21/98 at RMC:  HSC 68, RMC 50
2/23/99, ODAC Championship in Salem:  HSC 52, RMC 51

1998-99 - HSC 3, RMC 1
1/5/99 at RMC:  HSC 60, RMC 46
1/20/99, at HSC:  RMC 68, HSC 57
2/22/99, ODAC Championship in Salem:  HSC 73, RMC 61
3/6/99, NCAA 2nd Round @ HSC:  HSC 74, RMC 65

1999-2000 - HSC 2, RMC 0
1/4/00 at HSC:  HSC 97, RMC 64
1/19/00 at RMC:  HSC 84, RMC 79

2000-01 - HSC 2, RMC 1
1/10/01, at RMC:  HSC 75, RMC 72  
2/10/01, at HSC:  RMC 45, HSC 39
2/18/01, ODAC Semifinal @ Salem: HSC 69, RMC 66

2001-02 - RMC 2, HSC 1
1/9/02, at RMC:  RMC 67, HSC 63
2/9/02, at HSC:  RMC 60, HSC 51
2/02, ODAC Championship in Salem:  HSC 55, RMC 48

2002-03 - RMC 2, HSC 1
1/15/03, at HSC:  HSC 52, RMC 45
2/15/03 at RMC:  RMC 66, HSC 55
2/24/03:  ODAC Championship in Salem:  RMC 48, HSC 47

2003-04 - HSC 1, RMC 1
1/14/04 at RMC:  RMC 70, HSC 64
2/14/02, at HSC:  HSC 71, RMC 68

Summary:  HSC 13, RMC 7
@ HSC:  HSC 5, RMC 3
@RMC:  HSC 4, RMC 3
in Salem:  HSC 4, RMC 1

The Yellow Jackets had won 8 straight matchups in Crenshaw prior to last night's Tiger victory.  It was good to get some relief from the drought!

[algernon]

My picks for All-ODAC:

First-Team
Todd Phillips, EMU
Tyler Sanborn, GC
Clay Henson, GC
Stephen Fields, VWC
Turner King, H-SC
Dominic Trawick, BC

Second-Team
George Johnson, EMU
DJ Hinson, EMU
Donald Vaughn, VWC
Harrison George, H-SC
Ben Goetsch, W&L
Stephen Echols, LC

Honorable Mention
Rhett Bonner, GC
Jordan Brown, R-MC
Danny Jones, R-MC
Colton Hunt, RAND
Parrish Walker, Roanoke
JD Dyson, E&H

POY - Tyler Sanborn (GC)
FOY - Harrison George (H-SC)
COY - Kirby Dean (EMU)
   

[hasanova]

FYI:  After topping 1000 career points on January 13, Tyler Sanborn also stands at 997 rebounds.  He's almost certain to join the 1000/1000 club early in tomorrow's game when the Quakers travel to Randolph.  Excellent!

He's certainly had a stellar Senior season - I agree with the posters who predict him for ODAC POY.

[algernon]

Tyler Sanborn ... Fabulous career!

Turner King has now scored 1768 points and needs 12 to catch Ralph Baker, who is #4 on the Hampden-Sydney career scoring list.  While Turner is a guard and only 6'3", he has always been a leader in rebounds for the Tigers and now has 587 boards.

With 107 games under his belt, Turner has averaged 16.5 points and 5.5 rebounds a game over the course of 4 years.

Both of these guys are coming to the end of their playing days.  Personally, I would like to see both of them continue to play well into March.

[deanslist]

Obviously both Sanborn and Phillips are worthy of POY. Both have put up great numbers all season long and have been instrumental to the success of Guilford and EMU. I understand this is a season long award, but I wanted to compare the two players against the top teams of the ODAC (EMU, Guilford, VWC, and RMC). Sanborn and Phillips played VWC twice, RMC once, and EMU-Guilford played once in Greensboro. During those four games Sanborn averaged: 20.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, while averaging 29.75 minutes per game. Phillips averaged 25 points, 10.25 rebounds, while averaging 26 minutes per game.  Guilford finished with a 2-2 record during those four games while EMU finished 4-0, including the 27 point win at the Quakers! If EMU wins on Saturday against Washington and Lee, the Runnin Royals finish the regular season as champions! My vote would go to Phillips.